Opinions

Last week I came down with a severe sinus infection, which arrived complete with a monstrous headache and various body aches. At first, I expected to be better in a day or two, but after missing two bridge games, I resolved to visit my friendly doctor and have him mend me. Enough is enough. I saw him on Thursday morning.
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Nothing makes me madder than some bozo screwing with me or mine when I have done nothing to deserve it. This was the cased some time back when I was still growing poultry for Gold Kist and one of the catch crew decided my medicator buckets made a great potty. While the catch crew was maybe in house number 1, the Phantom Pooper would be in house 5 relieving himself in my medicator bucket without a care in the world.
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For the sake of clarity, I’d like to first submit Merriam-Webster’s definition of the word “Mistake” which is: to understand (something or someone) incorrectly: to make a wrong judgment about (something): to identify (someone or something) incorrectly.
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I spoke recently to the Peace Officers’ Association of Georgia at their annual conference in Savannah and was privileged to witness a group of dedicated law enforcement officers being honored by the POAG for their heroism. Here are their stories, much abridged because of space limitations.
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In the last few weeks, I have had the opportunity to once again to be associated with out wonderful Pavilion Nursing Facility. Ms. Melba Webb and her folks do a wonderful Job. My thanks especially to Ms. Emma Branch, RN and the folks on C Hall. Also, Ms. Brenda Banks in the dietary department does everything she can to make the residents feel right at home. She fixes them something special if they ask her to. Also, let me say a word about the upkeep of the facility, it looks as good as the day it was opened! The housekeeping staff is great!
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If you know me even in the slightest, you probably know I’m not much of a morning person. I usually sprint out of my car and into the school building in an attempt to beat the clock. And if I’m early, I’m usually walking and thinking and not paying much attention to my surroundings. Today was different.
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While recently probing the internet, I came across information that ultimately proved quite interesting, somewhat surprising and what I finally concluded was down right ridiculous. An article on one site: hooch, was entitled “Gilded Gods: How the Richest Religious Leaders Live” and another site called trendchaser featured another article: “Cashing in on Church: The Richest Mega Pastors in America.” These articles disclosed extensive information about a number of prominent pastors/evangelists in America and the world.
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When my grandson Stuart was born with pulmonary atresia, we adjusted our life styles to accommodate his limitations. The lack of oxygen from too much physical activity turned his nails and lips blue. When he became a toddler and I called him, he came running and opened his small mouth like a baby robin to accept his heart medication from the dropper. I spent countless hours sitting on the couch with him, watching Disney movies and keeping him still. Pete’s Dragon, one of our favorites, we watched again and again. We could sing the songs and quote the actors at the least provocation. Surgery has long since repaired Stuart’s heart problem and he has grown up, but Pete’s Dragon remains one of my favorite movies. Hence, when I took my youngest grandsons to the theater recently and heard that a new Pete’s Dragon would arrive in theaters soon, anticipation filled me. The previews titillated my interest and I vowed to see the new movie at first opportunity. That opportunity arrived this past weekend. My sister Sarah Nell and I went to Statesboro to shop and see the new movie.
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August marks the 20th anniversary of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act. This bipartisan welfare reform legislation signed by President Bill Clinton on Aug. 22, 1996, dramatically transformed the nation’s welfare system, implementing strong welfare-to-work requirements and incentivizing states to transition welfare recipients into work.
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There have been a few occasions during the course of the past year that I’ve written about experiences involving various individuals personally known to me. In every case, I have allowed those depicted complete anonymity more as a matter of respect than anything. After having explored the concept of this week’s column on Friday of last week and completed the process of painstakingly researching to verify any information presented is factual, I had an experience three days ago that helped me understand my reason for not having emailed my column to Mr. Gardner (pardon the reference Jamie) before Sunday. In this case, the references aren’t anonymous as I believe those individuals involved are deserving of mention.
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Lawyers, like kids, can say the darnedest things. During a recent hearing in Atlanta regarding an appeal by environmental groups of a permit allowing the Sea Island Company to construct a 350-foot long rock barrier — known as a groin — that would jut out from the island’s shoreline. It would create a new beach at the posh resort, and opponents said the project would be detrimental to the local wildlife — particularly endangered sea turtles. The attorney for Sea Island, Patricia Barmeyer, said, in so many words, big honking deal. She reasoned that if sea turtles already swim hundreds of miles to their annual nesting grounds, they can surely find another place to lay their eggs. Barmeyer, who is not a sea turtle but who seems to know them well, said, “We don’t think that having to swim to one side or the other of the (groin) would impose a meaningful or unreasonable detriment,” Last I heard, the sea turtles who have been coming to Sea Island longer than Barmeyer, strongly disagreed and said they just might lay their eggs in Barmeyer’s shoes. …
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I think all of us old folks feel the same in that when hot weather comes and the humidity is so thick one can hardly breathe we say, “I will never complain about cold weather again.” And when it is below freezing for three days running and then stays overcast, frosty, and a light mist falls constantly, and this wet cold goes right through all the clothing one can possibly wear, and every joint on us screams for over the counter measures, (or even under the counter ones), we say, “I’ll never complain about hot weather again”. This is normal, I think, but it seems I am growing more confused as I grow older and that my life is getting more complicated.
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I hope everyone had a great summer. Amy, the boys and I had one of the greatest summers ever. With the election behind us, we enjoyed a stress free and fun vacation. But it is back to work on a good opportunity to support a little known, but very important industry in Georgia.
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